Russia gives initial approval to adoption ban

Police officers detain a protester near the State Duma, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012. People picket parliament's lower chamber, which is set to debate an amendment that would ban Americans from adopting Russian children. The poster reads : "I'm a German citizen and can become an adoptive parent, although I'm not a United Russia member, and I'm honest, honorable and punctual." (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze)

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s parliament has given preliminary approval to a measure banning the adoption of Russian children by Americans, a harsh retaliatory move against U.S. human rights legislation.

Top Russian officials have expressed unease about the proposal, an apparent indication that the Kremlin opposes the move.

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, on Wednesday approved the second reading of a bill responding to the U.S. legislation. The proposed adoption ban was not part of the original version of the bill, but was added as an amendment.

To become law, the measure would have to pass a third reading in the Duma, then clear the upper house before going to President Vladimir Putin for his signature.